Director, Safeguarding Research

York University; Toronto; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

York University is seeking a Director, Safeguarding Research (SR) to build and lead a dedicated SR department responsible for protecting institutional reputation, sensitive research, and critical infrastructure. You will shape strategy, oversee compliance with federal, provincial, and international obligations, and provide expert counsel to senior leadership on policies and best practices.

The role requires strong leadership, experience in research security, and the ability to navigate complex

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline is required.
• Master's degree in a research-based discipline is required.
• Ability to hold Government of Canada Top Secret, Level 3 clearance.
• Proficiency in French and English.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a Safeguarding Research department.
• Develop SR strategy and define resource capabilities.
• Provide expert guidance to leadership on research security programs.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and manage Research Security Fund.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Policy development

Change management

Communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Master's degree in a research-based discipline

Ability to hold Government of Canada Top Secret, Level 3 clearance

Proficiency in French and English

Job description

Purpose

Under the direction of the Assistant Vice-President, Innovation and Research Partnerships and Senior Executive Officer, the Director, Safeguarding Research (SR) role is responsible for creating and maintaining a SR department at York University designed to protect the institution from threats to institutional reputation, sensitive research, and highly valuable infrastructure. This includes developing a SR strategy and defining resource capabilities required to meet long-term requirements and evolving federal, provincial, and international obligations. The role will provide expert council to university leadership and will guide the development and implementation of best-practices, policies, and procedures to support research security, including in the areas of international partnerships, commercialization, data governance and associated cybersecurity implications. The role will oversee support to university researchers to successfully navigate SR frameworks in funding applications. The role supervises the security review of ~$14.5 million in funding applications per year. The role leads the management of the Controlled Goods program including compliance with related international and domestic legislative frameworks. The role is responsible for long term strategic planning of the Safeguarding Research department including determining Human Resources requirements and the acquisition of tools and materials to support the activities and continuous development of the federal and provincial research security frameworks and requirements. The role manages the day-to-day operations of the SR department and leads the team in providing support, advice, and direction to effectively achieve program objectives. The role manages the Research Security Fund applications and reporting requirements. The role represents York University internationally and within Canada to executive-level leadership in government, academia, and interest groups.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
• Master's degree in a research-based discipline required.
• Ability to hold a Government of Canada Top Secret, Level 3 clearance.
• Proficiency in French and English.

Experience

• 6 years of related experience in research security within a research-intensive, or post-secondary environment or similar complex organization.
• 4 years of management experience including supervision and budget management.
• Experience developing, implementing, and maintaining research security strategies and programs.
• Experience in project management, leading, tracking status, and supporting large-scale initiatives.
• Experience leading within a multi-union environment.
• Experience leading and supporting large-scale change initiatives.
• Experience working with members of senior leadership on organization-wide committees collaboratively with multiple partners.
• Experience in achieving strategic and operational organizational goals through working with multiple partners.
• Experience in managing highly sensitive and confidential investigations.
• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with key internal and external groups.
• Experience working in close collaboration and consultation with internal and external partners in a highly complex, evolving and political environment on sensitive issues.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the political context relevant to research and innovation. Understanding of vulnerabilities to research and innovation security, commercialization, cyber security, intellectual property, and data governance.
• Understanding of research security frameworks provincially, federally, and internationally. Understanding of key groups operating within frameworks. Understanding of research security review processes.
• Knowledge of relevant U.S. and Canadian regulations for export controls, including the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• Knowledge of university policies, procedures, and organizational structures, including governance processes.
• Knowledge of research funding programs, research agreements and commercialization vehicles.
• Knowledge of best practices, trends, legal and legislative frameworks related to research security.
• Knowledge of procedures, practices, principles, and theories related to research security.
• Knowledge of open-source due diligence practices and procedures.

Skills

• Ability to lead organizational change, build institutional support to achieve objectives.
• Effective interpersonal skills to facilitate credibility, build and maintain relationships with government, university counterparts, and industry partners to ensure research project success throughout sensitive and potentially challenging discussions.
• Innovative and strategic thinker with a broad vision for the role of research security in achieving institutional excellence.
• Effective communication skills to develop and deliver presentations to a wide range of audiences.
• Effective communications skills in preparation of reports and briefing notes for university leadership.
• Effective project management skills, especially for large-scale institutional projects.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.
• Ability to lead and manage challenging conversations.
• Ability to work independently and in team settings, with diverse individuals.
• Effective analytical, judgement and problem skills to evaluate issues and work proactively towards resolution.
• Effective organizational and time management skills to manage multiple high priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Effective leadership skills.
• Ability to formulate policies and procedures responsive to evolving requirements.
• Ability to maintain professionalism in high pressure environments.

Additional Notes

• Note: Posting requires certification of degree(s)/credential(s).
• Normal office environment.
• Occasional international and domestic travel for meetings and conferences.

Compensation

• Compensation: York's CPM Compensation Framework has a salary grid consisting of 6 or 8 steps (depending on job grade) which is reviewed annually with possible adjustments, and a lump sum Performance Based Recognition Award. Employees will receive the grid adjustment and depending on performance, eligible permanent employees may move to the next step of the grid and may receive a lump sum Performance Based Recognition Award. Visit the CPM Compensation page on the HR Website to find out more about York's CPM Compensation Program.

Diversity & Inclusion

The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.

York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of the York community. Our long term perspective recognizes our responsibility to be innovators and to continually work as a community to reduce our ecological impact.

York University employees must apply to jobs through the Employee Career Portal - YU Hire. If you are a current York University employee and/or are using your rights under a collective agreement to view and/or apply to jobs, you MUST log into YU Hire to access the York University Employee Career Portal.

PLEASE NOTE: This job posting is for an existing vacancy. Applications must be received by 11:55 pm EST on the posted deadline date, if applicable. Posting deadlines can be updated, or modified, at any time based on hiring needs. Please refer to the York U Career Portal when confirming posting deadlines.